The following resources are in place to address issues surrounding DMCA at BGSU. These resources represent a layered approach to the issues by providing education and awareness, alternatives for obtaining digital resources, and technical safeguards that are used at BGSU.

Education / Awareness

The First Year Success Series is a  program designed to help first year students learn and adapt to a new environment.  Part of this series is a session called “I Swear I’m Not Sharing Music” put on in conjunction with ITS, Student Legal Services, and the Office of Student Affairs.

Legal Alternatives

Many colleges and universities across the nation work with companies such as Ruckus that provide students with FREE music. BGSU also offers Ruckus as a free option for music downloading. Click here for a list of other free and low cost sites where students can obtain music.

Technical Safeguards

On October 10, 2008, BGSU implemented a technology that allows legal use of peer to peer (P2P) at BGSU, while detecting attempts to obtain copyrighted content in violation of the DMCA. It accomplishes this by informing the user and redirecting their web browser to a website that explains the violation and prevents internet connectivity for periods of time based on previous warnings.

Reacting to DMCA Cease and Desist Notices